Trains at: New Beckenham - 29 July, 2020

With the South Eastern Main Line closed at Hither Green for ten days for the final stage of the re-signalling and transfer of control to Three Bridges, the line between Beckenham Junction and Lewisham gained extra traffic in the form of Hastings, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks to Charing Cross services diverted at Petts Wood to run via the Chatham Main Line to Beckenham Junction and then via the Beckenham Spur on to the Hayes branch. The spur has had no regular passenger traffic for many years. It was used regularly by ECS workings until a couple of years ago but now sees very little traffic. I went along to record the increased activity for posterity.

[@Baylescreen]

Thanks again. Travelling from Tonbridge via Redhill to London Bridge one winter Sunday, we were diverted through New Beckenham and this film has shown the context beautifully. I couldn't work out why there was suddenly a single track - now all is clear. I'm looking forward to Clock House and Hayes!

[@Benwaterman261]

Rare sightings

[@deauvilledad07]

Another excellent and informative video. Amazed how so many diversionary routes have remained in place over the former southern region. Well done 🤓, stay safe 🤓

[@pamfulcher6037]

Great video, thanks 🇨🇦

[@Trainspotter11_]

Another brilliant video! I really enjoyed this :)

[@pacificelectric1955]

You always find great settings…

[@journeysofjames1116]

Nice filming

[@oforid2227]

i am planning to go to Beckenham Junction at some point next week

[@musicforaarre]

What was the former centre track used for, steam locomotive terminating turnaround ? I see this also at Cheam, Hither Green, East Croydon, and I can't remember where else. What's up with this ?? Aarre Peltomaa

[@BoogiesTrains]

The Wikipedia article about New Beckenham station has some information about the rebuilding of the station in 1904 when the middle road was put in but nothing about why. It was removed as early as 1929. My daily commute was from New Beckenham to Cannon Street from 1974 to 79. The probable connections to the centre road can be visualised even now. The link to Beckenham Junction was much more important around 1900. The area around Elmers End was industrialised so there was freight traffic to be accommodated, possibly including reversals at New Beckenham.

[@nathansrailwayphotography8125]

Great

[@Andrewjg_89]

As Southeastern are inheriting the Class 707s from South Western Railway which will be next year. What is happening to the Class 376s. Or will Southeastern still keep them but to use them on the North Kent Line, Dartford loop, Hayes and Orpington routes. Or cascade them down to Southern to replace the Class 455s on the Caterham, Tattenham Corner, Epsom Downs, Reigate, Redhill, Sutton, and London Bridge-London Victoria via Peckham Rye suburban routes.
Or to replace the Southern Class 313s on the East Coastway Line (Eastbourne, Lewis, Seaford Harbour, Hastings and Ore). And West Coastway Line (Southampton Central, Portsmouth & Southsea, Portsmouth Harbour and Chichester).

[@bowlerstuff9589]

southerns 455s and 313s are in perfect shape on southern,they could just go run with the 378s

[@moose_ringo9161]

I think SE is keeping the 376's

[@breeze1472]

whats that bush or tree doing over the right hand track?

[@BoogiesTrains]

If you mean the one in the clip at the very beginning, the track there is just a siding. It probably hasn't been used for years so nobody will have noticed the bush that has fallen onto it.

[@CopenhagenRailProductions]

Are you using a different type writing font now?

[@BoogiesTrains]

Not consciously but I have upgraded my software so the default might be different.

[@CopenhagenRailProductions]

@@BoogiesTrains might be so. the font just looks slightly different

[@LengKingg]

@@BoogiesTrains I say I love this new font it looks neater